Capital's anti-racism pop festival to Rise again

Musicians, artists and trade unions who protested when Boris Johnson axed London's longstanding anti-racism music festival Rise have pledged to resurrect it as an annual event.

A core team has embarked on raising at least £100,000 towards staging the festival, renamed UpRise, this summer.

In a move away from the traditional Finsbury Park host site, it is planned to go to Hackney in July and then use different sites in successive years.

Speaking before a launch showcase for potential sponsors last night, organisers said they believed it remained important for a multi-cultural city such as London to celebrate its diversity and promote tolerance between races.

All had protested when Rise was scrapped and they staged a small-scale festival in October. Now they seek to rebuild what was, at its peak, Europe's biggest anti-racism event.

Paul Richards, now UpRise project director, said: "We really believe London should be a leader in tackling racism."

Founded in 1996, the event won backing from then mayor Ken Livingstone and trade unions. In Mr Johnson's first year as Mayor, he removed the "united against racism," tagline, causing trade unions to withdraw support.